In Sudan, Turkish TV dramas enjoy widespread viewership

Since they first appeared in Sudan in 2008, Turkish television dramas have become increasingly popular among Sudanese viewers.

Anadolu Agency spoke to several Sudanese young people who explained why Turkish soap operas -- which are dubbed into Arabic -- had become so popular.

Ahmed Osama, a student at Khartoum’s Sudan University, said his passion for Turkish television dramas stemmed from his desire to learn the Turkish language.

"I have been watching Turkish soap operas for a long time, both for entertainment and for academic reasons," he said.

Ahmed partially attributes the recent improvement in Turkey-Sudan relations to the burgeoning popularity of Turkish television dramas among Sudanese viewers.

For Sara Sadeeq, a recent university graduate, her love of Turkish television dramas is driven largely by her passion for cooking and love of foreign cuisine.

"I'm currently watching the Turkish series ‘Small Crimes’, which came out last year,” she said. "I love to cook, so when I follow a Turkish TV series, my focus is on the many kinds of food that is shown."

Sadeeq does not hide her laughter when she declares her love for "simit", a traditional round bread topped by sesame seeds -- a staple part of any Turkish breakfast.